Mistwell
Crusty Old Meatwad (he/him)
I hear the "it doesn't just increase numbers" thing a lot, and I have a hard time buying it. Yes, it does. It's just granting a condition immunity essentially, which TONS of things in this game do, and which is about numbers. Water breathing, immunity to poison, etc. are all doing the same kinds of things.
And it's INCREDIBLY circumstantial. The example you gave is soooo circumstantial that it could easily be a one-off homebrew item in your DM's game without impacting balance for the overall game at all (and the fact it requires attunement makes that circumstance actually less interesting - it would make more sense if it didn't require attunement so the party doesn't have to camp at the entrance for an hour twiddling their thumbs).
If your DM wants you to be able to go to a place that requires a special item to do it, they will give you access to that item, making it the opposite of special. You've made it as if it's a meaningless MacGuffin...it's the same as "You enter the mountain entrance and find an elevator, the only means down." It's just flavor regarding your means of accessing the location, and not a meaningful item in itself which the players can exercise any real agency over. They have to use it to access the location, so your DM makes sure you get it to access the location...wee? *sad trombone*
I'm just not getting it.
Also increasing your proficiency bonus is super cool! You get meaingfully better at the things you're best at:
• Attack rolls using weapons you’re proficient with
• Attack rolls with spells you cast
• Ability checks using skills you’re proficient in
• Ability checks using tools you’re proficient with
• Saving throws you’re proficient in
• Saving throw DCs for spells you cast
How is that *sad trombone*? What player in their right mind wouldn't be THRILLED to get better at everything they're specialized in?
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